Student Industries

The Keeter Center, located on the campus of College of the Ozarks, is an integral part of the College's Work Education Program. Each product comes from our student's hard work on campus so that you may take it home to enjoy with your family.

College of the Ozarks Seal

Mission, Vision and Goals

The mission of College of the Ozarks is to provide the advantages of a Christian education for youth of both sexes, especially those found worthy, but who are without sufficient means to procure such training.

The vision of College of the Ozarks is to develop citizens of Christlike character who are well-educated, hard-working, and patriotic.

To achieve this vision, the College has Academic, Vocational, Christian, Patriotic and Cultural goals.

College of the Ozarks students hauling a fresh harvest of produce to the Keeter Center

A Debt-Free Education

College of the Ozarks, known as Hard Work U., provides the opportunity for full-time students to work for their education. 

Some of the student workers at The Keeter Center are Culinary Arts or Hospitality majors, while others are earning degrees in other fields of study, such as Nursing, Education, Engineering, and Business Administration.

Full-time students have the opportunity to work at one of more than 100 campus jobs or industries to help pay for part of their tuition. The remaining portion of the students’ expenses is covered through scholarships provided by gifts and contributions from donors who believe in and support the programs and policies of the College. These student work programs and donor contributions allow C of O students to graduate debt-free.

Student Industries

Edwards Mill & General Store

Edwards Mill & General Store, built with funds provided by the late Mr. and Mrs. Hubert C. Edwards, is a turn-of-the-century grist mill. Student workers grind corn and mix other specialty milled goods, available for purchase inside the building.  Upstairs is a weaving studio, where students hand-weave baskets of various shapes and sizes. Edwards Mill is open from 9 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Saturday.





 

Hoge Greenhouse

The Hoge Greenhouses, located east of Edwards Mill, are home to the Clint McDade orchid collection. Mr. McDade, one of the School's first students, donated the nucleus of the collection, which today numbers more than 7,000 plants. Individual orchids and other houseplants are for sale at the greenhouse.

Stained Glass & Candle Shop

The Stained Glass and Candle Shop, located next to Edwards Mill & General Store, is a wonderful farmhouse chic venue where students handcraft stained glass creations and candles. The building consists of eight workstations for stained glass, two workstations for candle making, and a gift shop for guests to purchase student-made products. The Stained Glass & Candle Shop is open from 9 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Saturday.

College Creamery & Gift Shop

Beulah Winfrey Gift Shop, located in The Keeter Center, features an array of handcrafted student-made products such as: stained glass decorations and gifts, homemade fruitcake and jellies, pottery, handwoven baskets, textiles, milled grains, and the Keeter Center's famous Pear Honey Dressing.

Agriculture students milk 60 Holstein, Jersey, and Guernsey cows at the Campus Dairy. Once the milk is collected, students pasteurize, bottle, and deliver it to The Keeter Center, where another group of hard-working students turn the farm-fresh cream into Nettie Marie’s Homemade Ice Cream

 

Want to know more?

College of the Ozarks' students work to meet the needs of The Keeter Center guests.